Steelers Reportedly Love Rising Cornerback in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Steelers are one of the teams that love Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks according to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post.

La Canfora places the Steelers along with the Washington Commanders and the Baltimore Ravens as teams that are ‘in love’ with the Terrapins standout. According to him, Banks should not get out of the teens on the board as he has been one of the rising players throughout the process.

“Maryland corner Deonte Banks didn’t do much at his pro day athletically, but he didn’t have to,” La Canfora said. “He is crushing his interviews and visits and could be the third corner off the board. The Commanders, Steelers and Ravens, among others, love him, and I don’t think he gets past the teens.”

A week ago, Steelers Now reported that the Steelers would host Banks for a Top-3o visit. That is coming on the heels of Banks and the Steelers meeting up in Indianapolis for a formal interview. Following that up, he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash and posted a 42-inch vertical that shocked so many in attendance.

In his years with the Terrapins, he racked up 2 interceptions, 11 pass deflections, 83 tackles, and played in all twelve games during the 2022 season. Banks has risen up draft boards after smashing the NFL Combine as a result and could be the ‘sleeper’ pick at 17th overall.

Multiple other cornerbacks have visited the Steelers pre-draft, including Emmanuel Forbes, Kelee Ringo, Julius Brents, Joey Porter Jr., and Tyrique Stevenson at the position. After signing Patrick Peterson but losing Cam Sutton, the need at cornerback is still there for the team.

However, Banks does the Dino Tomlin connection and played with Mike Tomlin’s son. Still, expect Pittsburgh to be interested in Banks. It is likely that there is some weight to the report La Canfora is putting out. Banks has the athleticism and versatility that the team will love right from the outset of his career.